There was not much Magic in Orlando last night as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Orlando Magic 99-86 to win the NBA Championship.  It was the Lakers 15th Championship and the first they had won in 7 years.  By winning 4 out 5 games in the series Los Angeles was able to remove the cloud that followed them since losing to the Boston Celtics in the finals last year.  The Lakers Coach Phil Jackson seemed rather subdued as he acquired his own 10th National Basketball Association Championship.  That is one more than legendary Red Auerbach.

The Los Angeles Lakers may have had their hot and cold swings this season but when it mattered they faced the challenge and prevailed.  The 16-0 run in the second period of last nights game seemed to take the magic right out of the Magic.  Kobe Bryant won the Most Valuable Player Award and rightfully so.  He worked hard to claim his 4th Championship ring and no one can take that away from him.  His leadership carried on after the game was over as he encouraged his teammates to live in the moment.  He told them to forget about the adversity of last year and restrain from concerns about the next and to treasure the moment forever.

The Lakers players praised Coach Jackson for giving them the room to play the game the way it was intended.  He did not try to mold them but allowed the best in them to present itself.  Coach Jackson has not been able to get around like years past.  The 64 year old has gone through hip replacement surgery said he was unable to push players like he did a decade ago.  Physically he may have been a little slower but the fire of passion that pours from true champions still shown in his eyes.  He said he was proud of this team for the self motivation they displayed.  The bond between Coach and player was unmistakeable.

As for the Orlando Magic they ended their season with 1 finals game victory.  This year it was not to be.  As always in sports and competition there is the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.  However, the Magic should not hold thier heads low.  They reached the NBA Finals and they faced a powerful adversary with heart and passion.  They fell to a great Championship team but this does not mean that they are not Champions in thier own right.  The Magic will have to find solace in the fact that there is always the opportunity to find tha Magic again next year.  Until next time remember to always be a good sport.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have won the National Hockey League Championship 2-1 over the defending Champion Detroit Red Wings.  I patiently listened to all my fellow sports writers trash the Penguins today all over the sporting news.  If the Pittsburgh Penguins had listened to them there was not even any sense showing up at Joe Louis Arena this Friday Evening against the truly blessed Red Wings.  My fellow sports writers had already handed the Stanley Cup to the Detroit because they were playing at home.  What was proven tonight in Detroit is that the Pittsburgh Penguins had much more heart and talent than credited and in addition we sports writers are better at writing about the games then predicting them.

The first period of the game went scoreless.  The two teams were feeling each other out as if it were a Championship boxing match.  Perhaps this was in honor of Muhammed Ali who was attendance and wearing a Detroit Red Wing jersey.  Sorry Champ, it wasn’t to be.  The Penguins scored two goals in the second period both by Talbot.  That is right it was not Malkin or Crosby but who cares.  Championship teams need not rely on only one or two players.  Great Championship teams are built around the total package and in Game 7 of this Stanley Cup Finals it was the Penguins who had the total package.  The Red Wings scored their lone goal too late in the final period and could never get the puck past sensational Pittsburgh goalie Mark Andrew Flurrey again.  Chalk this one up for the record books.

In the NBA Finals the Los Angeles Lakers took a commanding lead by beating the Orlando Magic Thursday night 98-91in overtime.  This presents the Lakers with a 3-1 advantage in the best of 7 series.  Once again my fellow sports writers have already awarded the Lakers the Championship without playing another game.  This time the odds just may be in their favor.  But then of course there are some two years out there who could make a pretty reliable prediction on this one now.  Perhaps I am old school.  I say leave them play game 5 until the final buzzer sounds before counting anybody out.  I must admit it does not look good for the Magic at this point but it didn’t look good for the Pittsburg Penguins going into game 7 in Detroit either and we all know how that turned out.

In quick National Football Leage news the Atlanta Falcons finally cut the final apron strings with Michael Vick today.  They feel his efforts will be better appreciated elsewhere.  The Minnesota Vikings have not given up on Brett Farve.  They have sent some of their staff down to workout with Brett to see how his arm is holding out.  Trent Green the 15 year veteran Quarterback retired today.  Donovan McNabb got the big contract he wanted in Philadelphia today.  Now many sports writers feel they are set to make a run at the Super Bowl.  There is another Pennsylvania team that may have something to say about that.

The best thing about all of these games that we offer our opinions and predictions on is that in the end no one really knows how the game is going to turn out.  Of course that is what makes it so exciting.  It is always safe to play the odds but be prepared that every once in a while the odds are proven wrong and heart and determination win over all the facts and figures hands down.

The Orlando Magic turned the ball over 20 times Sunday night and when the final second ticked off the clock in overtime they turned over the game as well. The Los Angeles Lakers seemed to want it more. The Lakers ended up winning 101-96 and they are taking that 2-0 series lead into Orlando on Tuesday night. Magic Courtney Lee missed a routine layup at the end of regulation that would have tied the series at 1 game each. You know that when the going gets tough the tough get going. The Lakers seem set for a date with destiny and a 15th NBA Title.

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Although the ball seems to be bouncing the Lakers way Kobe Bryant says there is nothing to be happy about. He wants this Championship as much as anyone but he knows that the series is not over until that final second tics off of their 4th win. They are only half way there and Kobe has been around long enough to know that the Magic will not simply lie down and give up in front of the hometown crowd in Orlando. Although the Magic still seem to be missing a beat they just missed splitting the series in Los Angeles. Rashard Lewis scored 34 points as the Lakers double teamed Dwight Howard all night long.

Kobe Bryant did not score 40 like in game 1 but he tossed in 29, which was just as effective. As the Lakers begin to smell the blood of their wounded victims that 15th Title is looming nearer and nearer. The Orlando Magic on the other hand is still dreaming of that first ever Finals victory. Kobe does not want his teammates to start celebrating yet.

He knows game 2 was too close for comfort and that the Magic are tough at home. If the truth were known Kobe is probably breathing a little easier. But the competitor in him knows that you can never leave your guard down. It must make him a little content to know that only 3 teams in NBA history have come back from a 2-0 deficit in the Finals. The Magic have to be aware of this as well.

Dwight Howard and the Magic may be wounded but some creatures only fight harder when wounded. He says they will have to fight harder to put everything together. The Magic know very well that losing game 3 would almost certainly leave them in a hopeless situation.

The Orlando Magic did not get to the NBA Finals on luck. It has been a season built on heartbreak but they have always found a way to prevail. Only time will tell if the Magic can reach down deep and pull out one more miracle. Orlando is a great team. Great teams find a way to win. But first the Orlando Magic will have to start playing as a team once again.

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Anticipation is building for the Thursday night tip off between the legendary Los Angeles Lakers and the upstart Orlando Magic. The Lakers are 12-6 in this years playoffs while the Magic are 12-7. The Lakers have the advantage of opening up the battle on their home court. It is no surprise that Los Angeles made their way to the finals again.

After all they have won 14 championships over the years and were in the finals last year even thought they lost to the Boston Celtics.

The Orlando Magic on the other hand has left more than one sports writer scratching their heads. The Magic have been underdogs from the get go. This has seemed to only encourage them to play harder. They came out unrepentantly victorious against Philadelphia, Boston and Cleveland on their way to meet the Lakers.

No team in NBA history has ever had the pleasure of eliminating three 60- win teams in a post season. Perhaps that time has come. Click here for NBA finals odds.

If the Los Angeles Lakers intend to pull off their 15^th Championship they are going to have to win the battle between the forwards. The match up between Gasol and Lewis is essential. Of course no one is underestimating the importance of Kobe Bryant. He is the key for the Lakers. Bryant has to be a dominant figure throughout the finals. He has to make his presence known. In addition Andrew Bynum will have to corral Dwight Howard and keep him away from the basket. The Lakers will also have to find a way to eliminate the Magic’s success from the 3-point range. The Magic have average almost 9 3-point conversions per game throughout the post season. It should be observed that Bryant has 5 technical fouls and if he gets 2 more he will be suspended for a game.

The Orlando Magic as mentioned above have made a living this season on shooting cleanly from the 3-point border. Dwight Howard has also walked right through single coverage on the box and if he continues to do so the Magic could stun. The Magic spread out defenses and make room for Howard to dominate. The other key to the Magic’s success will be the probable return of Jameer Nelson. His leadership potential and ability to give the Lakers headaches is well documented. Nelson has been out for four months with his shoulder injury and the chances of him coming in 100% are doubtful.

The Los Angeles Lakers have won 61 games in the finals over the years. The Magic are still looking for their first. The Magic are still dreaming about their first NBA Title whereas the Lakers have already won 14. The Lakers Kobe Bryant has 3 rings of his own and is looking hard for number 4. There is much discussion about Kobe winning the first 3 rings when former teammate Shaquil O’Neal was in Los Angeles. Kobe would love to win a ring now that he is out of O’Neal’s shadow.

The star-studded Lakers are a proven powerhouse led by legendary Coach Phil Jackson. Evan Van Gundy who won a finals ring as an assistant but reportedly has misplaced it coaches the Magic. All of this is fine and good but the tale will be told on the court. Some sports enthusiasts may fail to offer hope for the Magic. This only adds fuel to the Magic’s fire that burns even hotter when their ability is questioned.

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The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers were the two best teams in the NBA over this series, and they are putting on a show for the fans with a very entertaining NBA Finals. The favored Celtics will have a glorious chance to celebrate their 17th title when they host the Lakers at TD Banknorth Garden on Tuesday in Game 6.

The Boston Celtics almost did it again against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the 2008 NBA Finals Sunday night at Staples Arena. The Celtics almost came back after facing a double-digit deficit to the Lakers in the final period. This time however, the Lakers held off the charge winning 103-98 forcing Game 6 back in Boston on Tuesday (June 17). According to oddsmakers at BetUS.com , the Celtics are -200 moneyline and -4 ½ point favorites against the spread with a 192 total. The Celtics are a perfect 5-0 covering the spread (ATS) in the 2008 NBA Finals. 

No team has overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals to win a title. The first 28 failed, and now the Lakers, who blew a 24-point lead and lost Game 4 and nearly squandered a 19-point lead in Game 5, have a chance to do something extraordinary.

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